Art Deco Style Masons Belt Buckle

[Dismal Swampy]

Dug this one today. Can't find anything on line that matches or even comes close.
Unfortunately all the gold plating has been destroyed but otherwise it's in good shape.
Inside marked MACO and Gold Ray
Very interesting piece

 

[Dismal Swampy]

Hopefully better picture

 

[oldmxrat]

Very nice find, congrats!

 

[oldmxrat]

Would love to see it after a nice electrolysis bath!
I'll bet the details will jump out.

 

[Dismal Swampy]

Would love to see it after a nice electrolysis bath!
I'll bet the details will jump out.

Would the electrolysis work on that ?
I'm not exactly sure metal type
It had a gold plating on there at one time

 

[Nathan W]

Would love to see it after a nice electrolysis bath!
I'll bet the details will jump out.

So I only thought that would work on rust layers on iron

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

Nice find !

So I only thought that would work on rust layers on iron

A Electrolysis Bath is great for cleaning almost all types of metal.
Bronze, Copper even Silver coins if they have asphalt stuck to them.
I've cleaned hundreds of pieces with my homemade Electrolysis Bath - (see YouTube videos on how to build one).
You just need to know when you should use it on or not - it can result in loss of detail on Copper coins.
You also have to be careful not to leave a piece in to long - after the crud's gone it will start eating the base metal.

 

[Red-Coat]

Can’t help on what kind of buckle it is, but ‘MACO’ was the Medallic Art Company Ltd founded in New York City in 1903. Originally it was a private mint specialising in high quality academic awards, medallions and medals for schools, institutions and the military. Later, they also mass-produced things like belt buckles. ‘Gold Ray’ was one of their trademarks, but I can't find a registration date, so it probably went unregistered.

 

[Dismal Swampy]

Can’t help on what kind of buckle it is, but ‘MACO’ was the Medallic Art Company Ltd founded in New York City in 1903. Originally it was a private mint specialising in high quality academic awards, medallions and medals for schools, institutions and the military. Later, they also mass-produced things like belt buckles. ‘Gold Ray’ was one of their trademarks, but I can't find a registration date, so it probably went unregistered.

I have searched and searched for it
I have found similar MACO ones on ebay and other sites but they were mongramed. I even checked different Masonic websites.
Any Free Mason's out there, feel free to chime in (:

 

[Dismal Swampy]

Nice find !

A Electrolysis Bath is great for cleaning almost all types of metal.
Bronze, Copper even Silver coins if they have asphalt stuck to them.
I've cleaned hundreds of pieces with my homemade Electrolysis Bath - (see YouTube videos on how to build one).
You just need to know when you should use it on or not - it can result in loss of detail on Copper coins.
You also have to be careful not to leave a piece in to long - after the crud's gone it will start eating the base metal.

I've got a nice electrolysis setup but have never tried it on anything but old axe heads
Might as well give it a shot

 

[oldmxrat]

I've got a nice electrolysis setup but have never tried it on anything but old axe heads
Might as well give it a shot

Just be aware to use a fresh sacrificial anode (the positive lead) when treating non ferrous items as a 'dirty' anode can transfer material, almost like plating. I usually use an uncoated finishing nail for coins and such.

 

[Dismal Swampy]

Just be aware to use a fresh sacrificial anode (the positive lead) when treating non ferrous items as a 'dirty' anode can transfer material, almost like plating. I usually use an uncoated finishing nail for coins and such.

I used a nail plate

 

[oldmxrat]

I used a nail plate

Good, as long as it isn't galvanized. That will produce toxic fumes.

 

[Trezurehunter]

Can't help on the ID, but it is a neat looking buckle.